COURSE DESCRIPTION

Adaptation studies from literature to cinema have many apparent changes in the context of postmodernism. Based on the complexity of the theories such as intertextuality, translation studies, cultural studies, deconstruction, and reception theory, adaptation studies allow audiences to consider the film adaptations as independent films with respective creativities of filmmakers by their cinematic language. Because adaptation studies are interdisciplinary, this course will not only instruct students on how to read books and movies but also move beyond comparisons of sources and film adaptations. Adaptation studies can be considered as a methodology and a field. Therefore, the class will concentrate on communicating film adaptations with the texts they are adapting.

During the term, students will practice analyzing several Asian film adaptations to illuminate adaptation studies and learn about the Asian cultural contexts surrounding the sources and their adaptations. The outstanding feature of the course is that students will understand what film adaptations show and do not show in comparison with their sources to break the notion of fidelity that limit the filmmakers’ creativities in their adaptation process. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to meet some guest speakers who are Vietnamese filmmakers, such as Viet Linh, Phan Gia Nhat Linh, Vinh Son, Nguyen Vo Nghiem Minh to listen to their own experiences about adaptation.

Disciplinary areas: Vietnam Studies, Art and Media Studies, Literature
Prerequisite: "Introduction to Vietnam Studies – Scopes, Approaches, and (Re)Sources"

COURSE STRUCTURE AND COMPONENTS

Focusing on adaptation studies in Vietnam, this course requires students to spend significant time watching film adaptations and reading literary works adapted into the films. Students will work together in discussions and group presentations. Besides, students will learn how to read a film and literary books.

Analyzing outstanding film adaptations that support the theories. Additionally, the instructor will provide students with some feature materials related to the adaptation studies, such as intertextuality, translation studies, deconstruction, and reception theories, to help students understand the independence of film adaptations in comparison with the source literary works.

The course will offer workshops led by some renowned filmmakers who released many film adaptations in Vietnam. The guest speakers will share their own experiences to help students know more about how to adapt a literary work into a movie.

In addition to class discussions and group presentations, students will complete their essays/video essays at the end of the course.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate a film adaptation
• Understand how Asian culture impacts the process of making a film adaptation
• Explore and handle cultural, political, sexual, and social materials in adaptation
• Understand the distinct language of each art form

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Analyze a film adaptation and write critically about the filmmaker’s point of view and context
• Interpret why the filmmaker changed and revised the source literary work
• Understand the equal relationship between literature and cinema
• Prepare and submit their essay in appropriate research format

COURSE POLICIES

• Communication: Email instructor directly; weekday emails prioritized
• Attendance: Be on time and prepared; cell phones not allowed
• Late Submissions: Not accepted
• Group Work: 3–5 students per group for discussions and peer reviews

ASSIGNMENTS & GRADES

• Participation (20%): Class discussions, workshops, written notes
• Group Presentation (30%): Film adaptation in Asian contexts (e.g., Japan, Korea, India, China, HK, Taiwan, Southeast Asia)
• Assignments (20%): Take-home writing exercises
• Final Essay/Video Essay (30%): 3,000-word analysis on adaptation and theories; can be film from or about Asia

REQUIRED MATERIALS

• Leitch, T. M. (2007). Film Adaptation and Its Discontents
• Leitch, T. M. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Adaptation Studies
• Hutcheon, L. (2006). A Theory of Adaptation
• Na, Đ.L. (2017). Chân trời của hình ảnh (Vietnam National University Press)

COURSE SCHEDULE (Subject to change)

Week 1: Introduction to Adaptation
Readings: Leitch (2017), Na (2017)
Viewing: Adaptation (2002)
Writing Exercise #1

Week 2: Intertextuality and Adaptation
Readings: Leitch (2017), Na (2017), Nguyễn Nam
Viewings: Mê Thảo – Thời vang bóng, The Little Prince, *Long Thành Cầm Giả Ca_

Week 3: Translation Studies and Adaptation
Readings: Leitch (2017), Venuti (2007), Na (2017)
Viewings: Arrival (2016), Gentle (2014)

Week 4: Deconstruction and Adaptation
Readings: Leitch (2017), Na (2017), The Lover, Norwegian Wood
Viewings: The Lover (1992), Norwegian Wood (2010)
Writing Exercise #2

Week 5: Guest Speakers – Việt Linh & Vinh Sơn

Week 6: Reception Theory
Readings: Leitch (2017), The Reader, The Book Thief
Viewings: The Reader (2008), The Book Thief (2013)

Week 7: Cultural Studies and Adaptation
Readings: Leitch (2017), Na (2017), Barker & Jane
Viewings: Ran (1985)
Writing Exercise #3

Week 8: Remakes, Sequels, Prequels
Readings: Leitch (2017)
Viewings: Tháng năm rực rỡ, Tiệc trăng máu, Em là bà nội của anh, Perfect Strangers
Writing Exercise #4

Week 9: Guest Speakers – Nguyễn Quang Dũng & Phan Gia Nhật Linh

Week 10: Group 1 & 2 Presentation: Japan and South Korea
Viewings: Woman in the Dunes, Drive My Car, Burning, Be With You
Writing Exercise #8

Week 11: Group 3 & 4 Presentation: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong
Viewings: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Raise the Red Lantern, As We Like It

Week 12: Group 5 & 6 Presentation: India and Southeast Asia
Viewings: Aan (1952), 3 Idiots (2009), Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, The Teenage Textbook Movie (1998)

Week 13: Group 7 Presentation: Vietnam
Viewings: Mùa len trâu, Trăng nơi đáy giếng, Thương nhớ đồng quê, Long Thành Cầm Giả Ca

Week 14: Conclusion and Final Project Presentations